The Creative Process

There is a distinct mystery about writing,  about the creative process.  You cannot entirely explain exactly where it comes from, control the speed or the flow, or precisely describe the process.

When I wrote the novel, In Its Time, I knew how it began.  I had that scene in my mind. But I did not know at all how it was going to end.  The ending unfolded, one tiny bit at a time.  I was often surprised at how it all developed.

I am currently writing a sequel to that book.  The writing process is the reverse.  I know exactly how it ends, and have known the ending of the sequel long before writing a single word.

It is the rest of the story that has to come into being, has to be imagined, has to emerge.  I may write just a little that will move the story along.   Then I have no idea where it is supposed to go next.  I have to wait for an inspiration.  As I try to envision all the things that might happen as this story moves toward its ending,  I eventually make an outline of the chapters.  Then at least, I know what year it is, which character is being featured, what the story line is as each scene comes to life.

I don't think there is a fast way to do this.  I think it is simply a long and slow process.  It is all about waiting for the next idea or insight or inspiration.   Sometimes it is about writing one sentence, and then going and doing something else, or writing a paragraph, and walking away for a few days.  Sometimes my mind is working on it when I wake up.  Other times it is completely blank.

There is a lot of mystery in the writing process.  It requires patience.  And waiting.   And hard work.

But I do think one can get addicted to the creative process.  It is strangely satisfying.